Sorry about the wait friends, sometimes life just kind of kicks you and you get no free time. And when you do you're so exhausted that you have no desire to write. But I've been very grateful for all the reviews, follows, and favorites!

L0RD3N: A masterpiece? I don't know about that, but thank you so much lol. That's probably the highest compliment I could get!

MysteryWriter175: The Nchi Kavu sure do have some nerve, I'll say that.

SnowyMarble: Thanks for such a long review, you don't have to apologize at all! And yeah, Daniel's been through a lot, kid is not thinking entirely straight but he's got the best intentions at heart. Even though the lions do have the same ability to process things as humans, I expect things to still be confusing for them, especially some of the way Daniel has acted. They are completely different species after all.

superstarampharos: Thank you! It's always interesting to me how I can casually write something and make other people feel such things, almost makes me feel bad sometimes... But I can't help it! Haha.

Silverleone: Welcome to this crazy little story in an extremely old fandom! Enjoy your stay, and thank you for the follow/favorite!

And to the Guest Reviews, I don't know if it's all one person or not but: I'll tell you right now, Daniel is not Kion. I've not read about or watched any of Lion Guard, but from what I understand that story happens sometime after TLK 2, which we are definitely not at yet. Sorry if that disappoints you, I've just got no clue on anything Lion Guard related so it probably won't be added.

And what does a lioness queen want with a shapeshifter? Will there be a final battle? Will they use Daniel for an ulterior motive? So many interesting questions, guess you'll just have to read to find out! (Insert evil laughter)

Thank you guest(s) for the reviews.

Man If I keep leaving for two months these author's notes replies are gonna be massive. So many reviews I want to reply to!

Anyway, Enjoy!

Chapter 14

"Sorrow and Anger"

The encampment was completely silent. The dark of the night was slowly rolling away, as the faint hints of moonlight spilled into Kiara's cage. Morning would come soon, this entire night had been a nightmare. She could get no more than an hour or two of sleep in between her nightmares and anxiety.

Looking amongst all of the cages, darkly shaded, she could tell she wasn't the only one awake at such an odd hour. Many here were separated from families, cubs, mothers and fathers… Kiara glared dangerously at a large tent that she had watched the Nchi Kavu clan leader retire too. "Shelyra…" she spat out of her mouth unintentionally with a growl.

"Careful there tiger." Mjanja's voice resounded from nearby. Kiara jumped in alarm and studied him, he appeared asleep, laying against the bars of his cage with his back turned to her.

Kiara shook her head, "Sorry." She said simply.

He shifted a bit, before releasing a somber laugh, "I feel you, Ki…"

Kiara suddenly noticed how he was acting unlike himself, he seemed upset, and she felt terribly. Only talking about her own problems, "You and your parents are both locked up…" Kiara started with a bit of realization, "I can't imagine what you're feeling right now." She whispered as she stuck her head slightly through the bars, only a few inches away from his head. Giving him a sympathetic look.

He didn't move, but he did continue to stare out of his bars at the pale moonlight, "I'm feeling like… Simba better have a really good plan for when he rescues us." Mjanja said, turning and smiling at Kiara.

Kiara giggled, "My dad always has a plan. I'm sure we'll be out by dawn." She said with confidence, keeping her voice low.

The conversation fell as they both silently hoped as best as they could. Hope that they weren't a lost cause, that they would be saved from these… cages. Kiara suddenly turned to look at Mjanja, "How did they lock us in cages anyway?"

Mjanja shifted uneasily, "Not sure. Every pridelander they caught was knocked out with some sort of powder. We all woke up in these cages…"

Kiara hummed suspiciously, "Do you think they're working with humans? Poachers even?" She said with a hint of fear.

Mjanja shook his head, "Humans wouldn't work with a whole pride of lions… other than your crazy little brother." Kiara smiled slightly, and he continued, "No… These guys are way too mysterious for my liking. Maybe some sort of magic? Like Rafiki uses."

"That's not the same," Kiara started, "Rafiki speaks to spirits. There's no way they're commanding the old kings to build cages for them." She said with sarcasm.

"You're right… you're right." He said, shaking his head.

Kiara looked at his face, and noticed how tired he was. She huffed slightly, "You need more sleep Mjanja. Let's not worry for now. Dad will come." She reassured him.

He did lay back down, looking out of his cage across to where his parents were, "I think you're forgetting about yourself princess. You look slightly crazed."

She giggled and layed down as close to the cage walls as well, they were inches apart, but could barely feel the heat radiating off each other. "I'll make sure I'm rested so I can pounce on their leader when we're free." She said, yawning.

Mjanja huffed a laugh, "I'll be right there with you Ki…" as Mjanja was drifting off he noticed both his parents piercing gazed through the dark were on him. He could feel the warmth from Kiara, and he knew his parents were smiling in the darkness. And he drifted off with the sound of Kiara's breathing.

Morning came to Kiara with a very jolting start, as she heard a loud clanking sound from nearby, she jumped awake. And seemingly so did Mjanja, as he was just coming awake as well. Looking around Kiara quickly noticed that the white lioness was standing in front of her cage, with a rather neutral expression. Kiara quickly growled, "What, are we not allowed to sleep now too?" She said angrily.

"Good morning to you too." Shelyra said, writing off her words quickly as she scooped the pair of keys she had dropped in her claws. "I was going to treat you to breakfast, but it might as well be lunch now." She said absentmindedly as she rather easily fitted the lock and key. Much to Kiara's amazement.

Once unlocked Shelyra handed the big set of keys to a large white lion, with scars covering his face. "Take this and return to your post if you will," she said sweetly. The guard nodded, grabbing the keys in his mouth as they walked away. Kiara tried to eye where he was going in case of a potential escape, but quickly lost sight of him behind another cage. The cages were intentionally almost set up to make sure they could barely see the camp. "No scary guards. Just a princess and a queen. What do you say, Kiara?" Shelyra said with an expectant gaze.

"Where are you taking her?" Mjanja said with a scowl as he glared at the leader.

Shelyra raised a brow, "Didn't I already say? To breakfast of course. Don't worry you'll get yours soon enough as well as the rest of you."

Shelyra backed away from the cage entrance which was wide open, "Come now princess Kiara. Follow me if you will."

"I'm not gonna do anything you ask until you let my people go." Kiara said, backing against the very back of the cage.

Shelyra rolled her eyes a bit, before sighing, "If I wanted your people hurt, they already would be. As would their freedom. But you know, a princess always jumps at an opportunity to negotiate." She said coyly as she gestured for Kiara to follow once again.

Kiara growled but hung her head in annoyance, "Fine."

"Kiara don't listen to her… she's just trying to get in your head." Mjanja said with a sneer from behind as Kiara left her cage. She felt the urge to run but knew she wouldn't get far. And she'd be abandoning her people.

"I assure you I'm only telling her this in good faith." Shelyra said regarding him, "She's important to you? I presume?" She asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Don't you dare speak to my cub." The voice of Mkali chimed in from nearby, with a terrifying growl. "Or Kiara. Touch these cubs and you will suffocate in your own blood, gasping for breath."

"Your cub?" Shelyra expressed with genuine intrigue which only caused Mkali to growl louder. "I had no idea! I'll have him moved to your cage shortly once I let a guard know." Shelyra said with seriousness.

"I don't need any favors from you." Mjanja sneered, "While you're at it, why not let the princess in the cage with us too? Stop trying to act like a generous queen while holding us captive."

Shelyra just nodded dismissively as she looked down at Kiara, "Is this your future mate? He's awfully protective of you dear." Shelyra asked Kiara with a smile.

Both cubs groaned as Kiara glared, "No, he's a good friend, something you wouldn't know about… And don't call me dear!" She warned.

"I'm too old for her anyway. She's like a little sister." Mjanja said with a growl.

"Too old?.. And what's that supposed to mean?" Kiara said, looking at him now with a defiant gaze.

That managed to make the white lioness chuckle as she turned and began to walk, "Yes yes, come along Princess Kiara." Kiara begrudgingly followed her away from the cages, giving Mjanja a reassuring look as she passed around the corner. Kiara followed with curiosity, but mostly because she had little choice.

Nala's completely panicked search of the room didn't last long. As there were no doubts in her mind that he had disappeared. She was eager to say that they had been attacked again, that someone was trying to take her remaining precious little one. But what she found was even worse than she had imagined. A message written in the dirt, illuminated by a dwindling battery by an old flashlight he nearly forgot he had.

It was written in both English, and a mostly comprehensible mess of Swahili. She would've found it endearing, if what she read hadn't stolen the last of her remaining will away from her.

Dear Family,

"Mom, Dad. I'm going. And I think you know where, and you probably know why already as well. I'm… sorry. I'm putting all of your good faith to waste, but I'm doing it for my family. And I'm blessed that I even get to say that you are my family. I'll miss you all a whole lot, please remember me, okay? I love you."

Love, Daniel.

Nala had seen a ghost. She forgot to breathe for multiple seconds, and when she did the only thing she could register was that it was hard. Staying on her legs was hard, and she began crying uncontrollably as she backed away from the message, shaking her head wildly in denial. Her heart was pained more than she was ready for. Each breath felt like an uphill battle and her throat tightened like it was being constricted by a snake. The few gasping breaths she did take, she used to call her mate. "S-Simba!" She yelled.

Simba was in the den as fast as you could be after hearing someone in such distress, his mate deep in the midst of a panic attack. He rushed to her side and shushed her, nuzzling her gently, "Shh, breathe honey." She tried to relay what she had read but it only made her crying and breathing become worse, "Hey! You can tell me what happened after you breathe. So stop for a second, then breathe with me." He took a deep breath, she nodded and she shakily tried to follow his instructions, "Then exhale." He said releasing a breath with her.

They followed each other for multiple breaths, as she finally got her breathing under control, and yet she couldn't stop herself from the devastating cries that wracked her whole body. "Nala?" Serafina entered the den just as quick as Simba had, "Nala dear! What's wrong honey. Where's your little Daniel?" She said as she rushed over and took Nala's other side.

Nala immediately buried her muzzle into her mother's chest, "H-He's gone!" She started, as the other two didn't get much time to guess, "My baby i-is g-gone! M-My little cub!" She whimpered as she sobbed loudly into her mother's neck.

Simba and Serafina were just as alarmed by the news as Nala, but Simba nuzzled her wearily, "W-What? A-Are you sure he's not hiding or something else?" Simba said with fear on his face.

Nala shuddered as she raised a claw and pointed towards the message, which Simba promptly read aloud for Serafina to hear as well. Simba's face nearly turned white after reading it, and he struggled to hold his composure. His eyes met his mate's eyes, and they both spoke the same terrible feeling that they both now shared. Serafina just held Nala even more as she seemed to understand how the two felt.

Simba calmly walked over to Nala, and sat down, embracing her as lovingly as he could. Though he still shuddered himself, he couldn't hold it, and some tears began to fall from his own eyes. Serafina quickly pulled the other lion into her embrace, holding the two together and gently rubbing their backs with her paws. Nala looked at her mate, she'd almost never seen him cry, "It's all my fault… I yelled a-at him for no reason a-and now… my cub is gone and it's my fault!" Nala said in horror.

Serafina spoke softly into her daughter's ear, "No dear, it's okay. Calm down."

"It's not!" Nala cried, holding her paw up to her face in shame as she blamed herself more, "A-And I can only imagine how upset a-a-and scary this must've been for him with his big sister missing and… and getting chased and nearly killed, only to have me yell at him. Oh ancestors, what have I done?" She hung her head even lower as she continued to lament.

"Oh hush honey. That cub absolutely adores he would never blame you." Serafina, after realizing that it didn't help as much as she wished, could do nothing but continue to hold her.

"W-What do we do, S-Simba?" She asked hopefully looking up slightly into her mate's eyes.

For probably the first time in her life, her mate had not a solution, but a very simple statement, "I can't… I can't do anything…"

Those words made both lionesses reel in shock as Nala began sobbing new tears and Serafina regarded him encouragingly, "Of course we can Simba. We can catch up to him and…" she realized the predicament immediately and became horrified.

Simba nodded solemnly, "I-..I send us out to retrieve Daniel, I won't have enough time to save everyone else… and Daniel is fast, and he's had quite the headstart on us. He might already be captured. The outcasts could be anywhere, as well as the hyenas. The chances of us getting to him first… And we barely have anybody willing to search… I hate it… I hate it so much… but…" he paused for a long moment. "But it's all up to Daniel now. As long as the Nchi Kavu keep their word, he's going to be a hero."

He collapsed to the ground, sobbing at the two lionesses' feet who gazed down in shock and despair. Their king's emotions had consumed him, he was mortal after all. He sobbed and growled as he pounded his paw into the floor, "I'm sorry…" he gasped, "He's going to b-be a hero, my little cub is. The great kings will be glad to invite him." He said finally breaking as his muzzle hit the ground.

"No!" Nala said loudly, forcefully moving herself away from the two, "He's already a hero Simba, and you're saying my cub is just supposed to sacrifice himself like some kind of martyr? I'm not… No, I want my cub back!" Nala screamed angrily with tears flowing from her eyes as she turned and ran out of the den.

Sarafina sighed and grasped Simba tighter, who had barely changed his lifeless expression. She could barely hear him whisper out the words, "Me too…"

In between bouts of glaring at Shelyra, Kiara couldn't help but admire the tent she had been taken into. It was large, regal, and was decorated with so many things with many colors. Colors she had only seen in flowers, and not nearly as vibrantly. She was currently sitting on a pillow that she had begrudgingly accepted, and couldn't deny just how comfortable it all was. A small wooden platform with legs sat in between her and Shelyra, who caught her gazing curiously at her things. "Quite impressive is it not?" Shelyra asked with a prideful smile.

Kiara turned back and glared, as she scoffed loudly, "Yeah, it is. It's impressively pretentious."

Shelyra didn't miss a beat as she looked at her own decor herself, "All this was made by my own people, I'm very proud of all of their accomplishments. It looks wonderful in here."

Kiara dripped with sarcasm, "Oh, how cute! Did they rob and kidnap others for the materials as well?"

Shelyra eyed her almost guiltily as she laughed it off quietly, "You know, I think we're very similar little princess." She began, awkwardly taking a sip from some bowl-like thing. "Well from when I was a cub…"

Kiara's fur bristled, "Stop comparing me to yourself, no matter what you say, you still kidnapped my family and pride. And also set it on fire…" she added disdainfully.

Shelyra actually seemed embarrassed at that, "Oh, yes. The fire was definitely not part of the plan, I should've known better than to let Mwali join them on the mission. Crazy pyromaniac she is. Sorry about that."

Kiara understood about half of what she said, and said nothing further as she stared down at the platform thing. She thought it may have been called a table earlier? As she stared at the rather fancy carvings on the table depicting lions and humans curiously, two lions entered the room with them.

"Here you are my queen." One said as he lowered a platter-like thing from his mouth and onto the table in front of Shelyra. The other lion put another one down just as respectfully in front of Kiara. She really wanted to scratch his eyeballs out right then and there but decided against it as the smell hit her.

"Thank you." Shelyra said with a nod as the two lions left.

Kiara couldn't keep her mouth from watering at what was in front of her. It was smaller than Shelyra's, it was a cooked piece of meat much like how Daniel cooks his meat, she thought. But this one was covered with other things, and smelled absolutely irresistible.

Shelyra laughed shortly at her, "Those are my two cooks. They may have gone a bit over the top with this one but it does smell quite delicious, don't you think? Help yourself, it tastes just as good as it looks." Shelyra said with a smile.

Kiara almost nodded as she leaned forward intent on eating it, but then her eyes narrowed and she pushed the platter away from herself. "No." She said glaring up at her.

Shelyra sighed deeply as she looked downwards, before getting up and slowly pacing towards Kiara who got into a defensive position, "You see, princess Kiara. That's the sort of behavior you must get rid of." She looked at her pitifully as she got closer, "I know you hate me, but you must be smarter than this. You simply look like a cub throwing a temper tantrum, you certainly don't seem brave by starving yourself."

Shelyra approached Kiara and began to pace behind her pillow, circling her like prey. "It makes you look weak." Shelyra said, looking down sternly.

Kiara looked defiant yet was obviously scared, "And why pretend that I couldn't already have ended you if I desired." Shelyra said, becoming dangerously close with a raised eyebrow.

"So. You're simply being foolish. Now eat so that we can discuss what you've been waiting for this whole time." Shelyra said gently, pushing the plate back in front of her. Then returned to her own seat.

Kiara slowly, yet eventually began to eat her food. After the first bite she had to hold herself back from wildly devouring the rest. It tasted heavenly, cooked on the outside and warm and juicy on the inside. And this absolutely amazingly sweet taste that followed, preceded by a slightly spicy kick. She had no idea what she was eating but it was delicious. Once she was done she happily leaned back, almost feeling guilty that she enjoyed it so much. The queen released a short laugh, "Told you did I not?"

Shelyra approached again, grabbing an odd rag-like thing, and lowering it down to Kiara's muzzle. Kiara retracted and growled at her it defensive position as Shelyra sighed, "It's to wipe your muzzle off dear, it's messy."

Kiara just growled, "Don't call me that. Just give me the thing and I can do it myself, you're not my mom."

Shelyra dropped it in front of her, "Suit yourself," she said as she returned to her seat. The two lions returned to take the trays back, and Shelyra stopped him, "It was wonderfully cooked. Tell me, have you fed the rest of our guests?" She asked curiously.

The lion nodded, "Of course my queen, just as you requested. It wasn't quite as fancy as yours but we still cooked and seasoned all of their food."

"Thank you dear," Shelyra said, suddenly nuzzling the lion, "That will be all." He nodded and grabbed her platter before leaving swiftly.

Kiara, now cleaned off, raised her brow from across the table. Shelyra saw her questionable gaze and laughed slightly, "Apologies, that's one of my past mates. Though we no longer consider ourselves together anymore."

Kiara gaped as she looked at her oddly, "You can't just… stop being together. That's not how it works."

Shelyra shrugged, "I've had at least four mates, or was it five? I can't be bothered to remember. But my love life isn't what we're here for is it." Shelyra said finally getting serious as she looked at Kiara.

It took her a second to recover from the shock of that, five mates? She seemed absolutely crazy to Kiara. "Yeah. We're here because you keep trying to capture my little brother, and you're hoping to trade us for him. You disgust me."

Shelyra hummed, "This is the most diplomatic it was ever going to get, wouldn't you agree? If I were to simply walk into your lands with my people and beg or ask, would you not just send us away without a second thought? Or worse yet, start a fight that ends in bloodshed."

"I'd be okay with that as long as it's your people's blood." Kiara said glaring darkly. "And I find it funny you think "most diplomatic" is to ambush us during dinner and threaten to kill us. So, why do you really want my brother? Is he a trophy? Or something else?.. Help me out here."

"He's a white lion, he belongs with us." Shelyra stated, though Kiara could easily see that she was simply masking her motives.

"You guys aren't THAT stupid. What's the real reason Shelyra? Going to trade him to the outcasts?" Kiara said angrily. After a guilty look away at that Kiara's eyes widened and she growled, "You are going to trade him!" She growled.

"No," Shelyra interrupted, "I will admit, there was originally a plan to trade him to the outcast pride. But plans have changed after…" she stopped herself as her thoughts trailed off.

"After what?" Kiara said, seething with anger.

Shelyra sighed, lowering her head, "Kiara, I must tell you a story, if this is all to make sense to you."

Kiara tried to soothe her anger, sitting herself down before angrily regarding her, "Fine."

Shelyra seemed to lay down and get comfortable as she cleared her throat, "So…"

Simba slowly walked out of his den. Dealing with about twenty grieving cubs, mates, and parents was tiring. And for some reason they all had it set in their minds that they're families were doomed… And the others only wanted to attempt to console him, seeing as he had just lost both of his cubs simultaneously. To say that the king was being torn apart on the inside and the out, would be an understatement.

It was approaching midday, and the king was exhausted. Almost everyone had been up all night, after the attack occurred. But everyone was too worried to sleep, even if it was their smartest decision. Simba had convinced about a dozen lions and lionesses to sleep, so that he could at least have a chance against the two prides. The king wasn't going to just sit back and watch his pride fall apart, even if he had almost fallen apart himself a while ago. Though he knew his chances were slim, and the danger was indisputably large.

He had spent a rather sizable amount of time looking for his mate, which he hadn't been able to find after running off. It was understandable, of course, but he couldn't help but feel responsible. He was her last bit of faith at getting their cubs back, and he had given up right in front of her. His heart ached from the pain this was all causing.

He climbed to the only place left in pride rock he hadn't checked, the summit. And as he took the last few steps he saw her, Nala, she looked terribly depressed and was curled inward on herself. "Nala?" He asked slowly, a hint of worry.

She glanced at him before getting up from her position, and walking to the edge, then she laid down to stare up at the clouds. Simba let loose a breath he didn't know he was holding which slowly turned into a sigh as he approached, laying down at her side. "Nala…" he asked again.

To his surprise she laughed a little bit, "I didn't think I could feel somehow worse, than that day he ran away from us because of his form… and yet…" she glanced downwards for a few moments, before facing Simba with tears streaming down her face.

Simba nodded, nuzzling her, "I never thought I'd feel more hopeless than that day either. Who knew our worst two days would be so close to each other?" He said with a sad smile.

"I hope you know Simba," she began, catching his attention, "If Kiara we're not to come back after Daniel sacrifices himself, I'm not going to be able to live with myself anymore."

Simba's mouth slowly opened and then shut, and he nodded, "I… I understand dear."

"And if I wasn't expecting Kiara to come back, I would've run after Daniel, even if it killed me." She said with a growl.

"I would've too," Simba said.

"Why didn't you then?" Nala let loose slightly angrily, before biting her lip in regret. She sighed and shook her head, "That was really rude, I'm sorry… it's just-"

"You'd rather have both cubs and no me, rather than only one cub and me?" Simba said understandingly with a sigh.

Nala tried to deny that as she looked away, "It's just… not fair. To you either, I guess I'm selfish."

Simba nudged her, "I'm not angry. But… Kiara wouldn't have come back without Daniel doing this. Our pride is in shambles, and the outcasts are no doubt prowling in our lands waiting for us to be cornered-"

"Yes yes I know!" Nala shouted, "Why don't I just get to be a mother? Why don't…" she wept into her paws, "Why don't my cubs get to just be cubs? Why Simba?"

He comforted her, "Because they aren't just cubs, they're our cubs. Which is why they'll both be okay, somehow."

She shuddered, she didn't have anything else to say. Simba nudged her, "We aren't giving up completely, you know that." He stated.

She seemed to wait for a continued explanation, "I'm leaving soon, I have a small group of volunteers. We're going to try our hardest to save everyone. If it doesn't work though… it may be-"

"I'm coming." Nala said, standing up and looking at him with ferocity.

"But Nala-"

"I'm getting my cubs back. The only way I'm not is if I go down fighting." She said seriously.

He had no room to deny her, so he just slowly nodded with a small laugh and a smile. She raised a brow, and walked past him to the stairs, "You coming or not?" She asked.

He ran forward and jumped over a rock and landed ahead of her. She finally had a small smile on her face as she shook her head, "Of course I am." Simba said smugly.